ESL Book Club reads The Face on the Milk Carton

"Fifteen-year-old Janie Johnson's life is turned upside down when she notices the picture of a missing girl on the back of a milk carton. A girl named Jennie Spring, with red hair much like her own, was kidnapped twelve years ago. Janie wonders if she could be this face on the milk carton when other questions about her own past begin to arise. Why has she never seen her own birth certificate? Are her parents not really her parents?" Join the ESL Book Club in discussing The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney. To borrow a copy of the book, and to get a reading guide, please call or visit the Almaden Library Information Desk. All teen and adult ESL learners are invited to attend. This event takes place Thursday, October 16th, 1-2 p.m. in the Program Room.

Partners in Reading Adult Literacy Volunteer Tutor Training

Wednesday, October 1, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, 1st Floor, King Library
Imagine that you could not read a bus schedule or interpret the directions on a medicine bottle. Please consider becoming a volunteer tutor for the adult literacy program, Partners in Reading, at the San José Public Library. The experience is rewarding and exciting. You will be working with an English-speaking adult who is 18 years or older. One-on-one tutoring will take place within branches of the San José Public Library and other public sites in San José.
Qualifications:
18 years of age or older
High school diploma or GED
Read or write at the 12th grade level or above
Attend 14 hours of tutor training
Patience
Flexibility
Cultural sensitivity
Sense of humor
Two hours tutoring per week for a minimum of six months (twice a week is best)
Enthusiasm!
The next Tutor Orientation will be on Wednesday, October 1. Tutor Training will take place on Saturday, October 4, and Saturday, October 11. All sessions are required and participants must register in advance. Please call (408) 808-2361 if you have any questions. Registration required.

Banned Books Week--Celebrating the Freedom to Read

Celebrate Banned Books Week by visiting your local library and checking out a book that has been banned. At Almaden, we have some banned books on display, and ready to be checked out. At the King Library, on Saturday, October 4th, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM in Rooms 225/229 on the 2nd Floor, Dr. Jim Schmidt will speak on Intellectual Freedom and Amy Sonnie will speak on her challenged book, Revolutionary Voices. Everyone is welcome to attend. The King Library will also have games as well as people reading passages from their favorite banned or challenged books. This event is sponsored by ALASC and LISSTEN. For additional information, contact Heather Devine (408) 536-6046. Banned Books Week this year falls from September 27th to October 4th.

Constitution Story Time, Wednesday, September 17th

We are pleased to offer a special "Constitution Story Time" geared for the whole family. Our special guests are from the Daughters of the American Revolution and they will help explain to the children the history and importance of the U.S. Constitution. There will also be a fun craft project for the children.This event takes place in the Program Room on Wednesday, September 17th, 6:30-7:15 p.m.

Tuesday, September 16th, 6:30-7:30

Travel back in time to the truth behind the legends of when the Persian Empire invaded the Greek city-states and read Persian Fire: the First World Empire and the Battle for the West by Tom Holland. Publishers Weekly says that "Holland doesn't impose a modern sensibility on the ancient civilizations he describes, and he delves into the background histories of both sides with equally fascinating detail. Though matters of Greek history like the brutal social structure of the Spartans are well known, the story of the Persian empire—like the usurper Darius's claim that every royal personage he assassinated was actually an imposter—should be fresh and surprising to many readers, while Holland's graceful, modern voice will captivate those intimidated by Herodotus." Join us for our discussion in the Program Room of the Almaden Library over tea and cookies.

ESL Book Club reads The Joy Luck Club

Join the ESL Book Club at 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 18th to discuss Amy Tan's famous and beloved work, The Joy Luck Club. This book focuses on the stories of four different Chinese-American women and their daughters. "With wit and sensitivity, Amy Tan examines the sometimes painful, often tender, and always deep connection between mothers and daughters. As each woman reveals her secrets, trying to unravel the truth about her life, the strings become more tangled, more entwined. Mothers boast or despair over daughters, and daughters roll their eyes even as they feel the inextricable tightening of their matriarchal ties. Tan is an astute storyteller, enticing readers to immerse themselves into these lives of complexity and mystery" (Amazon). All teen and adult ESL learners are invited to attend.

Spare the Air!

Tomorrow, Wednesday August 27, is a Spare the Air Day in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Concentrations of ground-level ozone pollution are forecast to be unhealthy tomorrow. Hot temperatures and light winds will combine to produce poor air quality for the Bay Area.
To help prevent smog tomorrow, please:
- Drive less
- Telecommute -- work from home instead of driving to work
- Take public transit, walk or bike - visit 511.org for transit info
- Carpool or vanpool with friends or co-workers
- Refuel on the way home in the evening and don't top off
Public transit is NOT free tomorrow.
To plan your commute online, visit 511.org.
To monitor current air quality conditions, visit www.sparetheair.org
This AirAlert is provided by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Thank you for doing your part to Spare the Air!

Author Art Rodriguez: Reading and Book Signing

Wednesday, August 27, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
King Library, 150 E San Fernando, San Jose
Rooms 225/229, 2nd Floor
Art Rodriguez, author of East Side Dreams; Forgotten Memories; The Monkey Box; and Those Oldies but Goodies, will read from his books and discuss his life and work. Book sale and signing will follow. Light refreshments will be served. For information, call (408) 808-2397.

Story Time for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

We are pleased to offer a series of three Story Times tailored for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ages 3-7). Offered on the 2nd Saturday of September, October and November at 10:30 a.m., there will be music, fingerplays, stories and puppets for the children's entertainment and socialization. Youth Services Librarian, Ed Koetitz, “Mr. K” is a seasoned storyteller and will have his trusty sidekick "Shaggy the Sheepdog" to keep things interesting. Please call (408) 808-3040 for more information and preregistration.

September 2nd--New Book Club Meeting

The Almaden Library is starting a brand new Book Club! We will be focusing on reading fiction and popular interest titles. Come to our first meeting to discuss March by Geraldine Brooks, and help choose our titles to read for future meetings.

Our first meeting is Tuesday, September 2nd from 1-2 p.m. in the Program Room.

Remember, even if this book isn't your cup of tea, come to the meeting anyway--controversy just makes the discussion more exciting!

Project Vote Smart Bus Stops at King Library

Sunday, August 17, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Corner of Fourth and San Fernando Streets

Project Vote Smart, a nonpartisan voter education organization, is currently touring the nation with their Voter Self-Defense System bus. The bus will be in San Jose and parked in front of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, from 3:00 - 5:00 PM on Sunday, August 17. The Voter Self-Defense System is designed to teach voters how to defend themselves against the rhetoric and misinformation of modern political campaigns. For more information, call 408) 808-2042.

Sizzlin' Summer Night Car Show and Carnival

The Almaden Community Center and Library are pleased to host their first annual Sizzlin' Summer Night Car Show and Carnival. This event takes place on Friday, August 15th from 6-9 p.m.

In addition to the amazing show cars and carnival games, there will be food, cotton candy, art activities, music, and fun prizes. All of the proceeds will be donated to Almaden Community Center's Scholarship Fund. This event takes place in the Parking Lot and Courtyard. Call (408) 268-1133 for more information.

Databases--What are they?

Learn how to use the library even when you are at home! Databases combine the top academic and popular magazines into one easy, searchable platform. If you want reliable information, databases are a must. Please call ahead to reserve your spot, or sign up at the Almaden Library Information Desk. These event will take place on Friday, August 15th from 10-10:50 a.m. inside the Tech Center.

Tuesday, August 12th, 6:30 p.m.

Success with Fuchsias!

Learn successful tips from the San Jose Fuchsia Society to learn how to grow beautiful and colorful fuchsia plants.This event takes place in the Program Room from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12th.

Caterpillar Puppets--Thursday, August 7th at 3 p.m.

We are pleased to have the Caterpillar Puppets as our special guest. These puppeteers are “guaranteed to generate giggles” with their hand puppets and silly stories. This program is ideally suited for ages 2 - 10 and is part of the annual Summer Reading Celebration. The theme of this year's Summer Reading Celebration is "Catch the Reading Bug!"This event takes place in the Community Room.

Growing up Asian in America 2008

For the entire month of August, view the winning art entries!

Three colorful canvas panels showcase winning art and essay entries, with 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place winners displayed, along with honorable mentions. All entries were submitted by Asian-American students from the San Francisco Bay area, with many winners coming from San José and Santa Clara County.The Asian Pacific Fund selects a new theme for the “Growing Up Asian in America” contest every year, and with the Beijing Summer Olympics coming up, we asked students to share their ideas on winning and losing. Stop by to view the winning entries at this location anytime during the month.

Teen Metamorphosis Game Party!

Teen Metamorphosis Game Party--Thursday, July 31st, 3:00-3:45 p.m.

Join the activities and morph into the superhero you always wanted to be. This program is ideally suited for ages 12 - 18 and is part of the annual Summer Reading Celebration. For kids, the theme of this year's Summer Reading Celebration is "Catch the Reading Bug!" The teens have the theme "Metamorphosis."This event takes place in the Community Room.

Buggy Bingo--Today!

Buggy Bingo - Win Prizes!

Play buggy bingo and win small prizes. Everybody wins! This program is ideally suited for ages 6 - 12 and is part of the annual Summer Reading Celebration. The theme of this year's Summer Reading Celebration is "Catch the Reading Bug!"

This event takes place in Community Room from 3:00-3:45 today, Thursday, July 24th.

New Book Club beginning at Almaden Library!

The Almaden Library is starting a brand new book club, focusing on fiction and popular interest titles. Our introductory meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2nd, from 1-2 p.m. We will discuss meeting times, choose the titles for upcoming months, and discuss March, by Geraldine Brooks.

Feel free to pass on this information to anyone you think may be interested, and if you have any questions, please call the Almaden Library at 408-808-3040.

June 14th--Summer Reading Club begins!!!

Visit your local library and sign up for the Summer Reading Club! Children can "catch the reading bug", teens can experience "metamorposis" while adults "savor the summer!"

The Summer Reading Club runs at all San Jose Public Libraries from June 14th until August 9th. All readers are eligible to participate, and all readers are eligible to win fun prizes. Keep an eye on our events page at http://www.sjlibrary.org/about/events/ to find out what kind of fun summer program is coming to your branch next!